"The only solution is to offer realistic, easy and sustainable travel options"

Councillor Tony Page, Reading's lead member for transport, said: "In July the council announced its intention to submit a new proposal for the East Reading MRT which takes into account comments made at both Reading and Wokingham planning committees.

"The public exhibition is the start of a lengthy consultation period which will include the usual statutory consultation as part of the planning process.

"Visitors to the exhibition will note the scheme options to help reduce the visual impact of the structure further.

"The original scheme was itself updated earlier this year to include a net increase in biodiversity, a net increase in flood storage capacity and the greater retention of trees, and further work has now taken place to help address some of the concerns aired.

"The East MRT is a joint public transport scheme which has the potential to offer major benefits to people who regularly commute between Wokingham and Reading.

"Reading’s road network is already at capacity"

"With many thousands of new homes planned in the Wokingham and Bracknell areas over the next few years, alongside developments in Reading town centre, we simply cannot ignore the huge impact it will have on a limited road network.

"Reading’s road network is already at capacity.

"The only solution is to offer people realistic, easy and sustainable travel options which will help to manage future demands on Reading’s roads, including managing levels of congestion and air quality, which we know are major issues in Reading.

"During peak hours this proposed bus-only link from Thames Valley Park along Napier Road will save buses up to 15 minutes by bypassing the often congested and slow-moving London Road/Cemetery Junction/ Forbury Road route.

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"Once this new and faster route has become established, it will significantly increase the attractiveness of public transport services."

The East Reading MRT scheme is being promoted by Reading council, Wokingham Borough Council and the Thames Valley Berkshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), with funding allocated through the LEP’s Growth Deal.